Sizzle Simmer Sauté — Sylvania Farmers Market opens for the season

It’s finally here for those of you who have been eagerly waiting for the opening day of theSylvania Farmers Market. Starting June 5, the market will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday afternoon through October 9 and will be held behind the Sylvania Municipal Court building. “We are so pleased to have all of the spaces filled for market season,” said Connie Torrey, director of the Sylvania Farmers Market. “Many farmers and vendors will be returning, and we have several new faces joining us.”

Throughout the season, visitors will find fresh, locally grown produce and all types of plants from returning farmers – Apples of M.I., Farnsel Farms, Garden Nursery, GLS Produce, Louis Keil and Sons, Stevens Gardens and Turk Family Farms. “We’ll have lots of plants, herbs and hanging baskets early in the season, and then the produce really gets going in July,” said Tim Keil of Louis Keil and Sons.

Tim Keil and Tina Comstock

Familiar FacesAmong those returning is Acorn Hill Farms with their Angry Goat soaps and lotions made with goat’s milk. They will also offer the opportunity to purchase egg and poultry shares. Dee’s Bees returns with their all-natural honey, Libby Snow is back with her 17 Second Cookies, and Olde Tyme Kettle Korn will be popping big bags to snack on while exploring the market.

Corinne Cassis of Sitto’s Bakery has been busy baking her specialty Lebanese pastries. She’ll bring plenty of them along with her popular pita chips, hummus and dips each week. Majestic Oak Vineyards returns with a brand-new release just in time for summer – River Rapids Rosé.

The Magical Mystery Shop reappears with a large assortment of tie-dye shirts. Great Lakes Custom Sharpening will take care of your knife sharpening needs, and Posey Jane from Ottawa Lake, Mich. will be back with her beautiful homegrown flowers.

Grumpy’s on the Go returns with Garbage Salads, Hye Rollers, and all your favorites. Plus, they’ve added a new plant-based menu which includes vegan versions of the Garbage Salad, a pulled “pork” sandwich, a “chicken” taco salad, a kale and quinoa side salad, brownies and chocolate chip cookies. “We started adding vegan specials at the restaurant. They received a strong positive reaction, so we began offering them on the truck,” said Maggie Bauman of Grumpy’s.

Maggie Bauman

New FacesJoining in on the fun are Baubles by Bev, offering one-of-a-kind bracelets, earrings, and necklaces; Costco; and Ottawa Lake Heritage Farms with fresh herbs, greens and veggies.

The Pie Lady will offer specialty items including pies, muffins, cookies, cakes and brookies which are half-brownies and half-chocolate chip cookies.

Get ROEHsted began from a passion for fresh-roasted coffee that Lisa and Nate Roehrig gained in 2003 while on their honeymoon in Maui. They will be bringing coffee beans from Africa and South/Central America.

Kyle Baker

Kyle Baker, owner of Gertie’s Barbecue Sauce, will offer samples of his three secret recipe sauces with boneless chicken breast. Jars of his Original, Spicy and Holy Smoke, for those who like “just a bit of kick” will be available for purchase at the market.

Rob and Julia Benfield of Benfield Wines, located at the corners of 295 and Shaffer Road in Swanton, will bring samples and bottles of their six varieties: Rural Raspberry, Apple Alyxandria, P’ville Peach, Blissful Blackberry, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

The Koral Hamburg food truck will grill up their famous Koral Quarter Pounders. Pair one with Koral Krinkle Kut fries or beer battered onion rings. For a bigger bite, the Koral Kardiac Burger packs two quarter pound burgers with American cheese, swiss cheese, cheddar cheese sauce, double bacon, mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, and tomato, topped with a golden onion ring. If you still have room for dessert, grab a Koral Kupcake decorated to look like a cheeseburger.

2nd Chance Food Truck owner JD Rule makes Food For a Purpose. He employs folks who need a 2nd chance in life, teaches them about the food business, then helps them find a job. Rule’s unique “sandwiches” such as The Fresh Prince (Philly cheesesteak) and the Dog Walker (chili cheese hot dog) are stuffed inside homemade Hungarian Longos bread and deep fried. The Game Changer is just that – bacon and cheese grilled in a tater tot crust. Cha Chings (Onion Rings on Steroids, Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese, and Stuffed Onion Rings) round out the menu.

With this impressive lineup, the 2018 Sylvania Farmers Market looks to have something for everyone. “We also plan to hold theme days and special activities throughout the season for kids and adults to enjoy while shopping,” explained Torrey.